Type of Surgery
Information
Last updated: 02/17/2009
The risks of extracapsular cataract extraction include:
- Edema (swelling) of the cornea.
- A rise in intraocular pressure (IOP).
- Uveitis. Uveitis refers to inflammation of the layer of eye tissue that includes the iris.
- Infection....
Infection of the external eye may develop into endophthalmitis, or infection of the interior of the eye. - Hyphema. Hyphema refers to the presence of blood inside the anterior chamber of the eye and is most common within the first two to three days after cataract surgery.
- Leaking or rupture of the incision.
- Retinal detachment or tear.
- Malpositioning of the IOL. This complication can be corrected by surgery.
- Cystoid macular edema (CME). The macula is a small yellowish depression on the retina that may be affected after cataract surgery by fluid collecting within the tissue layers. The patient typically experiences blurring or distortion of central vision. CME rarely causes loss of sight but may take between two and 15 months to resolve completely.
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Other Information
Extracapsular cataract extraction involves the removal of almost the entire natural lens while the elastic lens capsule (posterior capsule) is left intact to allow implantation of an intraocular lens. There are two main types of cataract surgery:
Other Information
Approximately 56% of all patients achieve results of 20/20 or better and over 90% achieve 20/40 or better (which is good enough to drive without corrective lenses in most regions).1 Those with moderate to high myopia (greater than 7 diopters) have a lesser chance of achieving that result. As technique and technology improve, the results continue to improve.
From: Eye Surgery Education Council
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